Weight Training is for You!

Resistance training (aka: weight training) is right for you, whoever you are, even if you feel resistant to the idea. 😊

While the thought of a weight training class might bring to mind that smelly section of the local gym where heavily muscled folks stand around flexing in front of mirrors, today’s weight training is perfect for people of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels. We need it to keep strong, balanced, and healthy—not only does weight training promote the physical health benefits of increased metabolism, muscle mass, and bone density, but it can also positively impact your mental health.

Many of the physical health benefits of weight training stem from the impact of resistance training on skeletal muscle. Through weight training we can build muscle and activate more muscle fibers during movement. This increase in muscle mass and activation can lead to one of the primary benefits of weight training: increased metabolism. During exercise and at rest, a person with a higher lean mass percentage will burn more calories than someone of the same weight with less muscle. This is due to the mitochondria within the muscle fibers that produce a higher amount of a metabolically active tissue.

In addition to increased metabolism, weight training can also promote increased bone density. As you do more weight training, you build more muscle; this increased muscle puts more stress on your bones which can promote increased bone density and lower your risk of bone disorders as you age.

Weight training also increases blood flow, which may reduce blood pressure and put you at lower risk for heart attacks and strokes.

The last benefit that comes from weight training is the effect it can have on your mental health. Weight training promotes the release endorphins during and after your workout that increase your mood and happiness. It can also help with your self-confidence. Weight training can give you a sense of accomplishment through getting stronger. The more you train, the more you will be able to do, and the better you may feel about yourself.

The most important part of weightlifting is that you can adjust your programing to suit your goals for your different seasons of life. Training to climb that mountain, to participate in athletic competition or simply lift up your grandchild. Adding resistance to your workout regimen creates a well-rounded healthy person that is great for all body types and stages of life.